IR Full Form

IR full form is Infrared Radiation. It is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The IR is represented as wavelength. The spectrum includes different forms of radiation which include x- rays, night vision glasses and many more. The IR is categorized into three categories of region which are near, middle and far IR.

What is the full form of IR?

As mentioned above the full form of IR is Infrared Radiation it is also considered a heat wave or thermal wave. The IR is represented as a wavelength which ranges between 710 nm to 1 mm. Further, they are also characterized as near and far rays. The near rays are used in photography and remote. The far infrared is considered thermal. Mostly thermal radiation emitted by objects presented in or near the room is known as infrared. It can’t be seen with a human eye but it can be sensed.

 Some Interesting Facts about IR

• Human body also generates IR of approx. 800 nm
•  The wavelength ranges from 710 nm to 1 mm
•  The frequency ranges from 430 THz to 300 GHz
•   IR is considered a Transverse wave
• IR speed is 3X 108 m/s

A Brief History of IR

As per NASA, IR was discovered in the year 1800 by a British Astronomer named William Herschel. During his experiment measuring the temperature between the colors which are visible in the spectrum, and then he placed a thermometer in a path within visible color in the spectrum. After he witnessed the temperature increase from blue to red.  

In his experiment, Herschel discovered and remarked that as the color progressed from violet to all the way red, the temperature kept on increasing. To proceed more in the experiment, Herschel also measured the way to the red light. Whereas in the infrared area, the temperature was found to be the highest of all.

 What are the different ranges in IR?

The wavelength of IR is categorized into 3 ranges

1.       1um to 3um is considered short-wave IR

2.       3um to 5 um is considered Middle wave IR

3.       8um to 14um is considered long-wave IR

Characteristics of IR

1.       Near Infrared

• Wavelength ranges from 0.75 to 1.4 mm (micrometers)
•   It is  used in the sector of medical, fiber optical and material science

2.       Short wavelength infrared

•    Wavelength ranges from 1.4 to 3 mm
•   The short wavelength IR is used in the sector of telecommunication and military

3.       Medium infrared

•     Wavelength ranges from 3 to 8 mm
•     Medium IR is used in sectors like the chemical industry and astronomy

4.       Long-wavelength infrared

• Wavelength ranges from 8 to 15 mm
• Used in making telescopes for astrology and optical fiber

5.       Far infrared

• Wavelength ranges from 15 to 1000 mm
•    Far IR is  used in cancer treatment

What are the different properties of IR?

• Transverse waves: The second name of IR is transverse. It means the displacement of the wave at 90 degrees to direction of propagation of a wave
• Wavelength: It is measured in microns. The shortest IR is 0.7 microns and the longest is 350 microns.
• Speed: The speed of IR is 299,792,458 m per sec
• Particle or Wave:  IR can be both particle and wave at the same time
• Absorption&reflection: It completely depends on the nature of the particle that strikes
• Refraction&Interference: IR refract in the situation when it passes from one medium to another and when two IR with the same wavelength meets they are known as interference.
• Thermalproperties: IR is considered heat just because of the presence of thermal properties. That’s the reason IR is also used as a heat source

In which sectors IR is used?

Below mentioned are sectors/ areas where IR is used regularly

• Communication: The transmission of data is done through IR. It also helps in high-density areas as well
• Astronomy: IR is used to develop optical components which includes mirrors, lenses and detectors used while examining things in space.
• Spectroscopy: By inspecting the bonds made up of molecules, they vibrate at different frequencies in that situation spectroscopy is used to identify
• Heatsource: They are used in the medical field to provide saunas for treating patients with high BP and IR is also considered as the best method for physiotherapy. The heat source is also used in industries which manufacture plastics, welding of plastic, etc.
• Cosmetology: IR is used for treating injuries on the skin which involves wrinkle smoothing, dandruff reduction, blackheads reduction, etc
• Massagetherapy: IR are also used for skin warming and muscle relaxation
• Infraredphotography: IR filters are used to capture images.

Application of Infrared Radiation

• Source of Heat- The source of heat is used by two different industries. They are- medical industry and manufacturing industry.

Medical Industry

The infrared radiation is used as a heating source in the medical industry. With the application of Infrared radiation, issues such as high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis. In the context and use in physiotherapy, infrared radiation is considered as one of the safest. 

Manufacturing Industry

In the industrial and manufacturing use, infrared radiation is used in the manufacturing process such as forming of plastics, coating, curing, welding of plastics etc. In place of contact heating and in convection ovens, infrared technology is used.

Application in Cosmetology

The infrared radiation is used in a wide range of cosmetic applications. From treating the skin injuries, smoothing wrinkles, reducing the occurrence of wrinkles, dandruffs, blackheads, infrared radiation is used. There lies a wider application of infrared radiation because of its penetrative power (it can penetrate skin upto 3-4 mm). In dermatology, the infrared radiation is used in warming the skin, which improves the circulation of blood and provides a continuous supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the skin. Therefore, the use of infrared radiation in cosmetics is considered wider.

Written by:

Deepit Mathur